The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently disclosed the presence of an Iranian militia known as the "Imam Hussein Brigade" operating in southern Lebanon. This revelation sheds light on the complex web of regional dynamics and the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
According to IDF spokesperson Avihay Adraee, the militia, led by a figure identified as Z Al-Fakir, has been active in southern Lebanon for several weeks. Reports suggest that these militia members initially traveled from Iraq, passing through Syria before establishing a presence in Lebanon. Their arrival comes at a time when Hezbollah, another Iran-backed group, has faced a series of setbacks in its efforts against Israel.
#عاجل 🔴 بعد سلسلة الإخفاقات التي مني بها حزب الله في تحقيق إنجاز ضد إسرائيل في الأسابيع الأخيرة، وصلت الى جنوب لبنان ميليشيا "لواء الإمام الحسين" الإيرانية بقيادة المدعو ذي الفقار، والتي أسست في الأصل في سوريا لتقديم المساعدة للمحور الايراني في السنوات الأخيرة وذلك لتقديم… pic.twitter.com/lQmYTbYSQF
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) November 2, 2023
In a message delivered in Arabic, Adraee stated, "After a series of failures by Hezbollah in achieving anything against Israel in recent weeks, the Iranian 'Imam Hussein Brigade' militia arrived in southern Lebanon." He further explained that this militia had its origins in Syria, where it was established to support the Iranian axis and Hezbollah. Adraee even shared a visual depiction of the militia's commander on social media.
The IDF spokesperson emphasized that the "Imam Hussein Brigade" had already engaged in clashes with Israeli forces along the Lebanese border and participated in activities aimed at challenging Israeli sovereignty. This development adds to the growing concerns regarding the security situation in the region.
Notably, this revelation also aligns with earlier reports from Iranian opposition-affiliated media outlets, which had provided insights into the "Imam Hussein Brigade." These reports described it as the "executive arm of the Iranian regime in Syria" and noted its significant financial backing. The militia, formed in 2016 under the guidance of former Quds commander Qasem Soleimani, is composed of individuals from various nationalities and has sometimes been referred to as "Syrian Hezbollah."
These developments come in the wake of reported airstrikes carried out by American planes in areas controlled by Iranian militias along the Syria-Iraq border. The attacks were documented in a video released by a local Syrian source, showing airstrikes hitting locations linked to Assad's militias in Daraa. The Lebanese Al-Mayadeen network, which has affiliations with Hezbollah, reported a total of nine airstrikes in the Al-Bukamal region of Syrian territory.
#IsrealPalestineWar
— Ghost of Yakub (@yaao2014) October 27, 2023
Yesterday the US Military conducted airstrikes on pro Iranian forces in Syria and Iraq. The Iranian Military stage a readiness exercise, in response to rising tensions. pic.twitter.com/LJUaChHm8B
A senior American defense official confirmed these actions, explaining that the Pentagon had targeted two facilities belonging to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps near the Iraq-Syria border. The airstrikes aimed to hit warehouses storing weapons and ammunition. The official clarified that these attacks were in direct response to previous strikes on American interests in Iraq and Syria by groups associated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guards.
